Baseball's Diamond Dinner Friday at 7 p.m.

By Athletics Communications

University of Oklahoma

JANUARY 19, 2006

NORMAN, Okla. -- Former Oklahoma baseball greats and current Major League Baseball players will return to Oklahoma to help the Sooners kick off the 2006 season at the Diamond Dinner on Friday, Jan. 27. Clark Stroud, OU Vice President of Student Affairs, will join the major leaguers as the event's master of ceremonies.

Current Oklahoma players and coaches will also be in attendance to join the former OU greats for an autograph session. Chuck Kelly, the voice of the Sooners, will introduce the 2006 OU baseball team with a video presentation.

The annual benefit dinner, which is open to the public, will once again be held this year at the Coca Cola Bricktown Event Center in Oklahoma City, located at 425 E. California. The dinner is set to begin at 7 p.m. with Jeff Bajenaru of the 2005 World Champion Chicago White Sox and Rich Hills (member of the 1994 NCAA Championship team) serving as guest speakers.

The cost to attend is $25 per person and reservations may be made by contacting the Oklahoma baseball office at (405) 325-8354 or by faxing the attached PDF form to (405) 325-8374. Click here for a copy of the invitation.

Among the other former OU greats scheduled to be in attendance include: David Purcey (Toronto Blue Jays), Tyler Gooch (Philadelphia Phillies), Damon Minor (formerly of the San Francisco Giants) and Ryan Minor (formerly of the Baltimore Orioles).

The University of Oklahoma Home Run Club is once again the official presenter of the event. Those interested in joining the Oklahoma baseball team’s official support group can do so at the banquet, or by contacting the Oklahoma baseball office, with a donation of $50.

SEASON TICKETS ON SALE

Joe Dunigan

OU opens its season on the road at the UTPA Tournament in Edinburg, Texas against Texas State on February 3. The Sooners' home opener is scheduled for Friday, Feb. 10 at 3 p.m. against Western Illinois. The game will be the first of a three-game series against the Leathernecks.Season tickets for the 2006 OU baseball season are now on sale through the OU Athletics Ticket Office and SoonerSports.com.

Never a stranger to a challenging schedule, the 2006 version of OU baseball will host 26 games at L. Dale Mitchell Park this season, including 12 contests against teams that participated in the NCAA tournament a year ago (Wichita State, Baylor, Texas, TCU, Missouri and Rice).

The home opener is scheduled for Friday, Feb. 10 at 3 p.m. against Western Illinois. The Sooners will then continue the series against the Leathernecks on Saturday, Feb. 11 at 3 p.m. and conclude the three-game set on Sunday at 1 p.m.

To order your season tickets please call the OU Athletics Ticket Office at (405) 325-2424 or (800) 456-4668 or click here for more information available on SoonerSports.com.

Ticket TeamIn an effort to increase season ticket sales, the OU Marketing Department has implemented a new system that will aim to increase the core fan base for Sooner baseball. Through the efforts of various supporters of the OU baseball program, the ticket team will target prospective season ticket holders and try to drive single game attendance to record levels in 2006.

Head coach Sunny Golloway on the new program:"We are excited to have these loyal baseball supporters getting more involved with the baseball program. This gives them another opportunity to make an impact that will benefit not only our players but as well as the overall experience at L. Dale Mitchell Park."

Season Ticket InformationBecome a season ticket holder and enjoy Oklahoma baseball at affordable prices. As a season ticket holder, you will also have access to intimate seating inside L. Dale Mitchell Park which provides an up-close look at some of the best baseball in the country. Be a part of the fun and excitement of Oklahoma Baseball!!

Season Ticket PricesReserved season tickets are only $130, a savings of almost 50% off the single-game adult general admission ticket price. Public general admission tickets are only $90, a savings of almost 53% off the single-game general admission ticket price. OU faculty/staff and senior citizens public general admission tickets are only $80.

Flex Season TicketsFlex season tickets are also available for public, faculty/staff and senior citizens which includes 26 tickets redeemable for any regular-season home game in any combination. Public flex season tickets are $90, and faculty/staff and senior citizens flex season tickets are $80.

Group TicketsGroup tickets are available for all regular season home games. Prices are $3 for groups of 10-99 and $2 for groups of 100 or more. Group tickets include a general admission ticket, group recoginition during the game and a gift pack. Group tickets can be ordered by calling (405) 325-5482.

National Anthem BuddiesThe Marketing Department is looking for National Anthem buddies for the 2006 season! Youth baseball teams will be able to run onto the field with the Sooners during introductions and accompany them during the National Anthem. National Anthem buddies are available for all regular season home games. Packages start as low as $30! To reserve your team or for more information please call (405) 325-5482 or email dhaskin@ou.edu.

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